About us
No one should have to carry it alone.
Exploitation thrives when communities look away. We help them look closer, act sooner, and walk alongside survivors as they build futures of their own choosing.
Our Mission​
To equip communities to prevent trafficking, intervene in the lives of the vulnerable, and walk alongside survivors as they rebuild their futures with dignity.
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Our Vision​
A world where every individual lives free from exploitation, where communities are equipped to protect the vulnerable and every survivor has the resources to build a future of independence.
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Our Values
Dignity over charity. Independence over dependence. Community over isolation. Transparency in every dollar. Respect for every survivor's agency and autonomy.
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The Story Behind the Name
Why "Leaving the Jar"?
She comes to the well alone at midday, when no one else will be there. Her water jar is heavier than it looks. It carries years of shame, isolation, and a life she didn't choose.
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Then someone truly sees her. And when she walks away, she leaves the jar behind.
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The moment comes from the Gospel of John, chapter 4, where a Samaritan woman's encounter at a well restores her dignity and opens a path she never thought possible.
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Every survivor carries a jar of their own. We walk alongside them until they can set it down.
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The weight looks different for each person: exploitation, trauma, poverty, shame. The need is the same: to be truly seen, and to have what it takes to build a future of their own choosing.
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When you give, you become part of that moment. Be part of their story →
SINCE 2003
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What we've built together
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Two decades of work across four countries, powered entirely by volunteers.
2,000+
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people trained to recognize trafficking
3,000+
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students supported in Egypt
300+
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women supported in Kenya and Zambia
87%
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of spending goes to programs
From 2 students to 600+
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Our Egypt scholarships, safe housing and mental health care now keep more than 600 young people in university each year.
Training that travels
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Schools, universities, churches and community groups from Virginia to California have brought our training to their people.
Women building livelihoods
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Culinary training, a women's market in Zambia and small-business startups in Kenya turn survival into independence.
Galas on both coasts
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Evenings in Virginia, Maryland and California, joined by mayors, law enforcement leaders and survivor advocates.
Help when it can't wait
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Emergency housing, legal aid and relocation for people facing immediate danger.
The Well of Hope
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A 10-bed, trauma-informed home for girls who survived trafficking: house secured, county approval in hand, licensing underway.
Advisory Partnership: Our care and operational frameworks are developed in consultation with the Wellspring Living Training Institute, a nationally recognized leader in trauma-informed care and survivor support programming.
The People Behind the Mission
Our Leadership
An all-volunteer team with decades of experience in global missions, public health, law, and education.
Isaac Akladeos
Director
Isaac's missionary work, beginning in Zambia in 2001, gave rise to the vision that became Leaving the Jar. He brings two decades of community-embedded service across four countries, driven by the conviction that dignity is the foundation of freedom.
Dr. Nancy William
Officer
A practicing Doctor of Dental Surgery, Dr. Nancy guides our physical restoration initiatives, ensuring survivors receive critical medical and dental care to heal physical trauma and rebuild their confidence.
Manal Moussa
Director
Manal leads the operational expansion of Leaving the Jar's domestic programs, including the Well of Hope Home initiative. Her background in public health programming and HIV prevention across East Africa ensures every program meets the highest standards of care.
Mariz Gobrial
Officer
Mariz brings specialized expertise in human development and behavioral psychology. With a Master’s from William & Mary, she architects our training programs to foster long-term restoration and dignity for every survivor.
Merit Albaidy
Officer
Merit brings over 15 years of corporate legal expertise. An accomplished Senior Counsel and law professor, she architects the legal frameworks that protect our mission and global operations.
Your Trust Matters
Financial Transparency
We publish where every dollar goes, and we welcome your questions.